It’s that time of year again when we’re on the verge of hearing who the next class of inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame will be. Though the date seems to be getting later and later each year (last year it stretched all the way to April 10th—2012 was announced on March 6th), as soon as spring starts to break, you can be assured an announcement is coming soon.

It must be said whenever broaching the subject of the Country Music Hall of Fame that it has been The Hall’s desire over the years to have it be an exclusive institutions when it comes to inductees. Where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and certain sports seem to throw the barn doors wide and accept all comers, the Country Music Hall of Fame would rather take gruff for who is not in the The Hall as opposed to who shouldn’t be, but is. You can always induct someone in the future, but it’s nearly impossible to throw someone out.

The Rules

The Country Music Hall of Fame inductees are selected through a committee process appointed by the Country Music Association, or CMA. Since 2010, the selection process has been split up into three categories. 1)Modern Era (eligible for induction 20 years after they first achieve “national prominence”). 2)Veterans Era (eligible for induction 45 years after they first achieve “national prominence”). 3)Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician active prior to 1980 (rotates every 3 years). With a musician, Hargus “Pig” Robbins selected in 2012, and a non-performer in “Cowboy” Jack Clement selected last year (though he was a performer and songwriter, it was more for his producer role), it would a songwriter’s turn up to bat this year.

Since 2001, anywhere from 2 to 4 names have been added to the Hall of Fame each year. Usually one name from the above mentioned categories makes it per year, but if no name gets enough of a majority vote, a category may not be represented in a given year. Or, if two names get enough votes from a category, then both may come from that category.

Potential Modern Era Inductees

Last year’s inductee – Kenny Rogers

Ricky Skaggs Ricky Skaggs is the artist that has felt like he’s been right on the bubble of being inducted over the last couple of years. Skaggs has bookened his career as a mandolin maestro, studied under Bill Monroe, and is now firmly ensconcing himself as a country music elder. In between then, he had tremendous commercial success in the 80”²s when country was searching for its next superstar. Few could argue with this pick and Skaggs is very well liked across country music. He was also announced recently as the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Artist in Residence.” Though there is no official correlation between being named an Artist in Residence and being inducted the next year, that coincidence has happened numerous times, including for last year’s modern era inductee, Kenny Rogers. Skaggs has to be considered a frontrunner.

Ronnie Milsap – Milsap is a name that has probably been on final ballots for the Hall of Fame for going on two decades, and in a couple of years will cycle over to a veteran’s era candidate, if he hasn’t already depending on where you want to start the clock on him. Though his commercial success is unquestionable, the fact that he started outside the genre and found a lot of his success as a crossover star might make him a hard name for voters to pull the trigger on. Having said that, seeing another name who started outside of country and had a lot of his success in the crossover world get inducted last year in Kenny Rogers, might move Milsap one step closer.

Alan Jackson 2013 was Jackson’s first year of eligibility, and there was a sense he just missed out on being a first year Modern Era inductee like Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire. A huge commercial success in his day who always payed homage to the roots of the genre and the artists who came before him, Jackson is a shoe-in for The Hall eventually, and should be a very strong candidate this year. He’s well-liked, with little to no baggage (there was that whole George Jones “Choices” thing back in 1999 at the CMA Awards, but hey, that was a long time ago). Alan Jackson is a strong contender.

Randy Travis – At this time last year, despite Randy’s fresh eligibility and unquestionable credentials for the Hall, he was facing a string of drunk driving charges, and spinning the unsavory story of trying to bum a cigarette at a gas station naked. In such a crowded field, it was easy to give Travis a pass. But this year the story is much different. After suffering from a heart condition and stroke while in the midst of a strong recovery from his personal issues, Randy Travis has to be considered the sympathy favorite for the distinction. Will it be enough? Maybe not, but Randy will be a frontrunner in the Modern Era until he’s inducted.

Brooks & Dunn A commercial powerhouse whose career was somewhat overshadowed by the success of Garth and their strange place as a non-familial country duo, their first album Brand New Man sold 6 million copies, and they won the CMA for Vocal Duo of the Year every year but one between 1992 and 2006. Their success is not debatable, but did they have the type of influence it takes to be Hall of Famers this early in their eligibility window, and with this crowded of a field? And does the fact that they’re no longer a functioning act hurt them, or is Kix with his radio work and Dunn with his brewing country revolution still visible enough? A few more names may have to tick off the list before their turn, but they have to be considered contenders.

Other Possible Modern Era Inductees:

The Oak Ridge Boys – Another Strong Contender

The Judds

Dwight Yoakam – You’d think with 25 million records sold, his name would be more associated with this distinction. Maybe in the coming years.

Keith Whitley – Garth Brooks a couple of years ago said he deserved induction before him.

Clint Black – If it wasn’t for his career’s disappearing act, his name would be right up there with Travis, Jackson, and Brooks & Dunn

Toby Keith – Officially eligible because he had his first success in 1993, but probably on the outside-looking-in for the next few years

Charlie Daniels

Tayna Tucker

Crystal Gayle

Gene Watson

Mickey Gilley

Potential Veterans Era Inductees

Last year’s inductee – Bobby Bare

Predicting the Veterans Era nominees is notoriously foolhardy because they pull from such a wide field of potential inductees. It’s made one measure harder by a general lack of chatter out there surrounding potential nominees compared to previous years. But here’s a few educated guesses.

Jerry Lee Lewis – He’s a definite possibility for induction, and with the lack of a clear front runner, this might be his year. He may be held back some since he came from rock & roll, and his antics on The Grand Ole Opry and other places over the years. But his contributions as one of country music’s preeminent piano players cannot be denied. If Elvis is in the Country Hall (and he is), his old Sun Studios buddy can’t be counted out.

Jerry Reed – Such a great ambassador over the years for country music from his work with Smokey & The Bandit to Scooby-Doo, but Jerry Reed should be inducted for his stellar and influential work as both a performer, songwriter, and a musician. There weren’t many better guitar pickers back in the day than Jerry Reed. And his work as a session musician with so many of country music’s big names made him a well-known and likable character throughout the genre.

Hank Williams Jr. – It’s somewhat hard to know if Hank Jr. should be considered a Veteran or Modern Era candidate because of the double-era aspect of his career, but he’s a contender either way. However despite his two CMA Entertainer of the Year awards and millions of albums sold, you don’t get the sense it’s his time just yet. Only playing around 18 shows a year these days, and generally being once removed from the moving and shaking of the country genre while he pursues a quasi political career, Hank Jr. could be passed over this year others pushing harder for the distinction.

Lynn Anderson & Dottie West Lynn and Dottie are the two ladies that likely lead the field for female veteran inductees. Both of these ladies are right on the bubble, as they have probably been for many years. Since there wasn’t a woman inductee last year and there’s no strong female contenders in the Modern Era category, the pressure to include a woman from the veteran field in 2014 might be greater.

The Maddox Brothers & Rose The Maddox Brothers & Rose was a name that probably wasn’t on many people’s radar until the last couple of years. With their prominent place at the very beginning of the Hall of Fame’s current Bakersfield Sound exhibit, it is hard not to see how important their influence was on country, especially West Coast country, and the flashy dress of country performers that still influences the genre today. It may be a long shot, but if groups like The Jordanaires and The Sons of the Pioneers are in The Hall, certainly The Maddox Brothers & Rose should be. And it would be great to see happen while the final member, the 91-year-old Don Maddox, is still around.

Gram Parsons – Gram’s inclusion here is always a topic of great discussion. In 2013 there was a greater push than ever to induct him, with influential Country Music writer Chet Flippo personally making the case for him, and other chatter that 2013 might be his year. But it wasn’t, and it may be years before it is, but his name is always in the field for this accolade, and looking at the influence Gram had showing millions of rock and roll fans the beauty of country music, it should be.

John Hartford This is a long shot pick, but he deserves induction. As I said in my prognostications from a couple of year ago, “The Country Music Hall of Fame works like a timeline as you walk through the displays that weave around the massive archive in the center of the building. As you start from the beginning, each artist and their impact is displayed on a plaque that includes their Hall of Fame induction date. When I came to the John Hartford display on my last visit to The Hall this summer, he was the first to have a display, but no Hall of Fame induction date.”

Tompall Glaser & The Glaser Brothers – Probably another long shot, but one that has to be considered a more legitimate contender in 2014 with the passing of Tompall last year. It probably helps that his brothers-in-Outlaw-country-arms Bobby Bare and “Cowboy” Jack Clement were inducted last year, moving folks like Tompall and other Outlaw-esque country music personalities one step closer in the process.

Johnny Paycheck and David Allan Coe These names come up every year from hard country fans, and are names regularly held up as evidence of the Hall of Fame’s illegitimacy. The simple truth is that with these two performer’s shady pasts, Hall of Fame induction is going to be difficult. Johnny Paycheck has a more distinct possibility than David Allan Coe, because Coe could create a public relations nightmare for the Hall of Fame from people (correct or not) who label Coe a racist, sexist, etc. etc. Patience mixed with persistence is what Coe and Paycheck fans need to see their heroes inducted, as time heals all wounds. One positive sign for them is the induction of Bobby Bare and “Cowboy” Jack Clement last year. This means the CMA committee is willing to pick Outlaw artists and personalities for the Hall, and those two inductions move Paycheck and Coe two steps closer.

Randomly, I also think there’s a strong chance that the next major rotating exhibit at The Hall could be a feature on the Outlaw era of country, which might also give people like Paycheck, Coe, Tompall, and others a chance to be featured at the Hall of Fame beyond induction.

Other Possible Veterans Era Inductees:

Jimmy Martin

Vern Gosdin

Ralph Stanley

Johnny Horton

The Browns

June Carter Cash

Wynn Stewart

Jim Ed Brown

Potential Songwriter Inductees

Last songwriter inducted – Bobby Braddock in 2011

The 3rd category rotates between a musician, a non-performer (executive, producer, journalist, etc.), or songwriter on different years. 2014 would be a songwriter year.

Though there may be some artists that would technically qualify for induction under this category like Keith Whitley, Townes Van Zandt, Billy Joe Shaver, or any number of other artists that have extensive songwriting credits, this category is meant for behind-the-scenes songwriters who would never be inducted if not for this category. Though the award might go to someone with a little more modern success as a songwriter to go along with their storied history, here’s two interesting names that deserve strong consideration.

Hank Cochran

Hank Cochran – Hank would be a worthy inductee, and it just might happen for him as a songwriter of both critical acclaim and commercial success. It can’t hurt that Jamey Johnson also recently release a tribute to Cochran, making him front-of-mind when voters are thinking of songwriters who deserve this distinction. Cochran should be considered a front runner.

John D. Loudermilk – A cousin to The Louvin Brothers that had great commercial success as a songwriter in the 60’s and 70’s, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976, and certainly deserves consideration for this distinction. Nonetheless, it’s probably a long shot.

93 Comments

Jeff Miller
February 17, 2014 @
10:01 am

Agree with your assessment. CMHOF is in need of a catch up year or two- many deserving nominees. CM grew so much during the era of the people mentioned that the nominees should be a bit more proportional. Couple of things: At what point does Marty Stuart’s name start showing up? In addition to commercial success, no one has promoted country and roots music and Nashville in general more than he has. Also, Larry Gatlin as a songwriter at some point &/or the brothers as performers. Just thoughts.

Officially Marty Stuart is eligible now, but I don’t get the sense that he has a chance of making it any time soon. The Modern Era category is just too clogged at the moment. Same could be said for Travis Tritt. The late 80’s, early 90’s were just such a productive era for launching new stars that there’s a glut right now like you alluded to, but I think they’re still feeling the pressure of trying to keep it exclusive.

I think the Gatlin Brothers would have to go in as performers. Anyone that can be viewed as a performer I think is going to get passed over for the songwriter distinction.

Modern Era: Alan Jackson
With Garth already in there, it makes the most sense for him to be next.
The 80s were a rough decade. With the exception of Alabama, George Strait, and Reba, who extended their careers well into/well past the 90s? I’d love for members of the Great Credibility Scare to get in there: Dwight, Randy, & Keith Whitley, but I’m not so sure it will ever happen. The impact they made in the genre is significant, but their airplay and sales dropped drastically once the Class of ’89 hit the scene. I’m not sure how much of that would factor in the decision but if it does, they won’t see inductions.

Veterans Era: Paycheck, Paycheck, Paycheck.
Most people associate him with “Shove It,” but this guy played bass for the Possum as a member of the Jones Boys and worked in Ray Price’s Cherokee Cowboys. His pre-Billy Sherrill output with Aubrey Mayhew is highly underrated and underappreciated. Add to all of this his songwriting ability (“Once You’ve Had The Best” and “Apartment No. 9” anyone?) and you realize what a travesty it is that he isn’t in the rotunda yet.

Alan Jackson should be a no-brainer and probably should have made it last year.

I also think Ronnie Milsap should be in and it’s kind of strange to see him in the modern category since his career as a hitmaker basically came to an end with the purge in 1989 so he is in a category with others that are really not his contemporaries. As for his sort of crossover type country I don’t hold that against him because country has always has always had this type of act (think Jim Reeves and even Marty Robbins at some points).

I would also go with Jerry Lee Lewis who was a very influential influence on country even if he wasn’t considered country in his first mid 50s run ala Elvis. Then add in his country successes of the late 60s/early 70s and that is enough for me.

I think the HOF needs to seriously think of adding another category for early influences that could maybe rotate with the musicians and songwriters so that artists like The Maddox Brothers and Ralph Stanley and few others that haven’t had a bunch hits don’t have to compete with more commercially successful acts.

So my picks would be: Jackson, Milsap, and Lewis and for songwriter Hank Cochran.

It’s really hard to know on Milsap or Hank Williams Jr. if they are being considered as either Modern or Veterans candidates because you can make the case that both men could be considered in both categories. In fact this might be hindering their induction somewhat because neither is a clear cut frontrunner in either category, so they sort of get lost in the shuffle. I wouldn’t be surprised if either of them gets inducted, and in either category. Milsap I think has an advantage because it seems to be something he really wants.

My dream is Gram Parsons DAC and Paycheck with a hope that at some point JJW and Gary Stewart will get real consideration. Reality will most likely be Skaggs, Reed and Cochran. which are all richly deserved.

Why would this hippie rich boy from Harvard who discovered Country Music in college while he was smoking grass and thought, “this hick S@!t is really cool dude” be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the same hall that includes Country legends like George Jones and Merle Haggard? Because he showed Rock N Roll people the “beauty” of Country Music. If that joke gets in the Hall, then they should let me in the Hall. The reason Country Music is dead is because city people and Rock N Rollers like Gram Parsons discovered it.

” Despite being from the South, he did not become seriously interested in country music until his time at Harvard, where he heard Merle Haggard for the first time.”

That said, I am a huge Parson’s fan and this is the first time I’ve heard anyone blame him for the problems in modern country music. I’d argue that his country-rock was more authentically country than much of what was dominating the charts at the time.

On February 22, 1956, The Louvin Brothers warmed up for Elvis Presley at City Auditorium in Waycross, GA. On hand was a nine year old boy named Gram Parsons. It would leave an indelible mark on the future legend, who went on to popularize several Louvin Brothers songs for the ages including “The Christian Life” and “Cash on the Barrelhead”.

I was quoting their press release. Hence the link. But I would agree. So now Gram wouldn’t be considered a “legend” even with his rock resume? He hated The Eagles by the way…

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TX Music Jim
February 18, 2014 @
11:32 am

Gram Parsons is a music legend. He gave the world it’s first listen to Emmylou Harris. He was a part of the Byrds which was arguably the first Alternative country band light years prior to Uncle Tupelo and yes he presented songs like “Grevious Angel” in a very hard country manner, among many songs he presented in that style.. So yes while I’d doubt it will
ever happen, Gram Parsons should be in the CMHOF !

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Clint
February 18, 2014 @
3:37 am

And I’m a huge Eagles fan, but that doesn’t make them a Country band.
Rome didn’t fall in a day.

Dang, I knew there would be a comment like this. It seems like there always is when Gram is brought up. He has become a polarizing figure, because the adamant “cult” fanbase that he attracts causes others to react negatively against him, as if to put him back in his place. I am not suggesting that’s what Clint intended, it’s just a pattern I’ve noticed.

The interesting thing about the “country-rock” label placed on Parsons’ music (a label which he detested, by the way,) is how irrelevant it seems in retrospect. As contemporary country has subsumed much of classic rock in the last few decades, Parsons’ music just sounds all the more country. And socially speaking, the factors which designated him a hippie/longhair (and thus not “fit” for the country format) are no longer relevant,

Still, I really doubt if GP will ever be a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Yeah, the likes of the The Velvet Underground and The Stooges are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite not moving a lot of units or having hit songs, but unfortunately the cultures of rock and country are different in that regard. Traditionally, of the two genres, I think country is more similar to the old style of show business in which commercial success is seen as an integral component of greatness. Parsons never acheived “national prominence” as the Veterans category requirement stipulates. But he did contibute to keeping the flame of country music’s roots burning, and yes, his musical projects opened people’s minds to country music, many of them other artists. But as his posthumous following has grown, so has his influence. When music fans these days experiment with listening to country music, Gram Parsons is a frequent entry point. I personally knew a guy who primarily listened to weird progressive rock music who turned onto Gram, then Emmylou, then decided to download Buck Owens and Merle Haggards’ greatest hits collections, because he read that Gram dug the Bakersfield sound. And that is not an isolated incident!

It does seem like the country music establishment owes him a little bit of gratitiude for all of that. But I think one point Parsons aspired to make is that country music, like rock or folk or soul music, it is a type of music that should belong to all Americans, not just to a particular institution or city or narrow social demographic. And so, I say go ahead and keep Gram Parsons out of the Hall of Fame. Let him remain one of the patron saints of those country fans who don’t identify with the country music establishment.

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Clint
February 19, 2014 @
6:16 am

To me it’s just laughable that I’m on a site called: Saving Country Music; and the site’s founder and CEO, along many frequent, full-time commentors are saying that Gram Parson’s is not only a legend, but a Country Music legend, and should be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
One guy says it’s because he was in The Birds and because he found Emmylou Harris. Another says it’s because he showed Rock N Rollers the “beauty” of Country Music. The Birds are not a Country band, and Emmylou has always felt like a Country outsider to me, a hippie girl who was performing a diluted version of Country Music because she thought Country was cool and different, but was really first and foremost a folk/rock singer. Alt Country is not Country. That’s why you put alt in it. Just like pop Country is not Country.
Saying that Gram’s music is more Country than what’s on the radio today means nothing. It’s like when a local, family owned restaurant decides to become a chain. The quality of the food keeps getting worse as the chain grows larger. Country Music was not intended for the masses, and it should have stayed that way. It’s ridiculous to try and legitimize Country-Rock as being Country because of where Country is today. Country-Rock was just another nail in the coffin of Country Music; a coffin that started being built by Elvis(another ridiculous inductee).
But let’s pretend for a moment that Gram was a real Country singer. He had almost no commercial success whatsoever. If we’re going to start inducting people with less than stellar, or no commercial success, then let’s at least induct real Country singers. How about Mel Street, or Vernon Oxford, or Joe Carson? Vernon Oxford is actually the last real hillbilly singer to come through Nashville. He had guys like Harlan Howard backing him, and actually was the first person to record several songs that other people had hits with years later.

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Gordon
March 8, 2014 @
1:06 pm

Ya like when Johnny Cash was recording and touring with Perkins, Lewis, Elvis and the like. What a joke. Mixing with all those “rockers.” Completely destroyed his country credentials huh Clint?

1+

Clint
February 17, 2014 @
2:04 pm

They really should create a new category for just one year. It should be: The Johnny Horton Only category. It’s unbelievable that he’s been dead for nearly 55 years and isn’t in. I imagine most people would assume he’s already in.

For the modern era I select Keith Whitley, I firmly believe had he lived Keith would’ve had a very successful and long career. He had the complete package. For a guy that had a short career, he has been a major influence even long after his passing.

For the Veteran era I select Vern Gosdin, he is no question the most underated country singer of all time in my opinion. He was called “The Voice” for a reason, now it’s time to give the man his due he deserves.

Would Gosdin really be considered Veteran Era? Sure, he recorded with Chris Hillman and his brother Rex back in the ’60s, but I don’t think he got enough notice to achieve national prominence until the late 1970s. And his most comercially successful period pretty much mirrored Whitley’s.

With a lot of these guys, it’s hard to know where to start the clock on them. Yes, Gosdin did not come to prominence until the 70’s, but he was around much earlier. I also think this is what lends to these guys getting passed over, because there doesn’t seem any urgency to induct them in the Modern Era, and so they fall to the Veterans era. I very may well be wrong about some of my Veterans/Modern classifications. The ballots are private, so we really have no way to know if these artists are being considered, and in what era. You could argue Bobby Bare who was inducted last year as a Veteran could have been considered in the Modern Era as well.

To quote Tammy Wynette Vern Gosdin is “The only other singer that can hold a candle to George Jones”

Vern Gosdin may not have had the major success of a Garth Brooks or a Randy Travis, but he definitely deserved it, his sound alone is among the best. Vern Gosdin had the up most respect especially from George Jones, Vern was real country and he stood true to it.

Here are some more quotes regarding Vern Gosdin.

George Strait – “One hell of country singer and helped me out a lot on my very first tour”

Jamey Johnson – “If anyone wants to know, was he really that good? He was really that good, the guy was a walking heartache”

Jack Ingram – “You can’t go into a bar room that plays real country music without hearing Vern Gosdin”

Jake Owen – “He’s not respected as he should be. To me he’s one of the greatest singers I’ve ever heard interpret a song. He just has that coolness about him.”

But to me most importantly, most of Vern’s major success came when he was at the age of late 40’s to early – mid 50’s. Something that is extremely difficult to do considering the music business is a young man’s game and also when record labels want fresh talent over aging performers.

I love Keith Whitley and I think ‘I’m No Stranger To The Rain’ is one of the greatest modern country songs ever recorded but I think it’s hard to see him in the HOF because of the shortness of his career. I would put him and Johnny Horton from an earlier era in the same category. I think you can only judge what they actually did and not project forward what they may have done in the future. Yes based on pure talent they are HOF worthy but doesn’t longevity have to be factored in a little?

When you look at Patsy Cline’s output it really isn’t that big from a quantity perspective but from quality it is very big. I’m not sure if she had that same type career now and then died that she would so quickly make the HOF with country music having 70 plus years of history instead of the 20 years it had when she died.

I guess what I’m saying is I’m not sure how to judge artists that have their careers vastly shortened by early deaths.

What about Jim Reeves, whose major success in his lifetime was less than 12 years (from late 1952 to his death in 1964)? And he’s been in the Hall of Fame for 45-plus years. (Granted, this includes dozens of posthumous hits, but still ”¦ .)

Every year I come here to plug Jerry Lee. In the early 70’s before the outlaw movement, Jerry Lee was one of the biggest hit makers in country music. Add in his importance to rock music as well as his influence on every piano player who has come after him and the fact that he is “The Killer’ makes his selection a no brainer, However he has pissed off a lot of people.

I agree with you. They should ALL be inducted, and listed in order of PUBLIC POPULARITY. Why waste all this precious time and play this silly game. I LOVE them ALL…and personally would like to see RANDY HOWARD on the list as well. Let’s judge these people on their musical contributions and NOT their personal issues.

If it were up to me, I’d do Alan Jackson, Gram Parsons, and Hank Cochran.

As for Hank Jr., I think he should be considered for veterans. Yes, he is best known for his work post 1970, but you could say the same thing about Willie Nelson or Waylon Jennings, even though they were established artists long before that.

That’s so ridiculous.
The guy had about 20 #1 country hits.
And unlike with some other pop-country artists and their crossover songs, I recall that everyone considered Kenny Rogers to be a country act when he was in his heyday with “The Gambler” and “Lucille.”

Jerry Reed is such an underrated musician. The majority of his albums are out of print and many of them haven’t even been released on a modern format (CD, MP3). Good guitar picker, decent songwriter. I guess he isn’t afforded as much respect as he used to be because of his tendency to cut novelty songs.

As for Paycheck, what has he done to be considered controversial?

On Clint Black, do you know why he hasn’t done anything in the music business in the last six years or so? Why has he decided to “disappear”?

Also, of the modern era, one might include Tim McGraw in that pool. His first album was released in 1993, though it wasn’t as big as his later releases.

I guess he killed too much time, eh? 😉 But in all seriousness, that’s kind of sad. I’m not sure how you feel about him, Trigger, but I always liked Black’s easy, graceful singing and relaxing approach to his music. For some reason I hate looking back on recent country music history. It’s easy to be disconnected from thirty or forty years worth of music, but when it’s only been ten or fifteen, I almost can’t handle the nostalgia. I miss the 90’s when Alan Jackson, Ricky Van Shelton, Clint Black, Chris LeDoux, John Michael Montgomery and the like were big. Now they’re mostly forgotten. I’m not looking to argue with anyone about whether the music was “good”, all I’m saying is that I enjoyed it.

Musically, PayCheck has really done nothing controversial. He was a solid mainstream performer throughout his career who to my knowledge really did nothing to rock the boat. And that’s not a knock on him at all, I could say the same thing about George Jones.

I think he gets lumped in with the “outlaws” because of his unpredictable behavior outside the studio.

That’s what I was asking about. Before a year or so ago, I never cared about artists’ personal lives and consequently never looked into them. However, since becoming a reader of SCM, it’s caused me to pay more attention, but it’s hard to stay in the loop when most of these performers have passed away or sowed their oates so long ago that the records are scarce. Paycheck is a good example of this. I love his music but he lacks the notoriety of Jennings or Coe so I have a hard time finding anything substantial about his “wild” side, if there was one.

Paycheck’s past is more than checkered. Its one thing to drink and drug like Coe or George Jones, but Paycheck admitted to statutory rape, and not with a 17 year old girl, but with a 12 year old. He was basically the biggest scumbag in the history of country celebrity.

AAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDD that’s why I never paid attention to begin with. I’m going to try and forget that I read that when I listen to his music.

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Tom
February 18, 2014 @
2:34 pm

For those who are interested in the real story, PayCheck was approached by a girl girl who claimed to be a 19-year-old Mizzou student. Turns out she was 14. He didn’t know she was underage until her parents sued him. The charges were eventually reduced. Still not cool, but it’s not like he was out cruising for jailbait. If we want to talk about that we need to bring Jerry Lee Lewis into the discussion. Or Loretta Lynn’s husband, for that matter.

His alcoholism, drug abuse, homelessness, and prison stint for shooting a guy probably put him at the top of the list of singers who were real-life outlaws. But his outlaw “sound” was, somewhat ironically, carefully crafted by Nashville establishment producer Billy Sherrill.

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RD
February 18, 2014 @
6:08 pm

Based on every news story of the time, the girl was 12. Here is just one of them:

Some stories say 12, some say 14, some say Wyoming, some say Missouri (I’m guessing Wyoming is correct as Missouri court records don’t show anything about it), some say he denied that it ever happened, some say that he acknowledges that it happened but the girl claimed to be of legal age. All accounts agree that the charges were reduced, and there were no civil damages awarded.

At any rate, he’s certainly no worse than Jerry Lee Lewis, who married his 13-year-old cousin; Elvis Presly, who kept Priscilla Beaulieu as a mistress from the time whe was 14 until they married at 21; or Doolittle Lynn, who married Loretta when she was 15.

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luckyoldsun
February 20, 2014 @
9:27 pm

When Johnny Paycheck died, a bunch of the obituaries–including in Billboard, as I recall–referred to him with that bizarre “PayCheck” spelling that I had never seen before.

Then his son–who goes by the name “Jonathan PayCheck” posted something on the Internet trying to drum up a campaign for “Johnny PayCheck” to be elected to the Hall of Fame. I e-mailed him, telling him that he’s gotta cut it out with that obnoxious spelling if he wants to have any hope of getting Johnny elected. Jonathan responded, insisting that that’s the way his father wanted his name spelled. I wrote him back, saying that he should use the spelling that Paycheck used when he made the recordings and performed in concerts that gave him his fame–not what he supposedly wanted when he was old and losing his mind.

Needless to say, Jonathan got super-upset at that remark.

Thankfully, the “PayCheck” notation seems to have disappeared, as all of the compilations and articles on him that I’ve seen in recent years have reverted to the normal spelling.

I think your properly right on for for Modern Era considerations; Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap and The Oaks. Of those six one (or more if a tie) will be elected.

On the Veteran side of it, I would say the ballot is more than likely Dottie West, The Browns, Hank, Jr. and Jerry Reed for sure. There is also strong consideration for bluegrass and early CMA pioneer Mac Wiseman and legendary comic Ray Stevens. Also on the ballot the last few years have been posthumous artists June Carter Cash, The Wilburn Brothers and comic Archie Campbell. The Hall of Fame voters are notorious for electing those living and overlooking those gone on. Until a posthumous category is established chances for artists such as Campbell, Carter-Cash, The Wilburns, Dottie West, Vern Gosdin, Keith Whitley & others to be inducted will be few and far between, if they get elected at all. At some point that problem will have to be addressed by the CMA. Since the mass induction of 2001 only three deceased persons (DeFord Bailey, Pop Stoneman and Lew DeWitt, of the Statler Brothers) have been inducted. That’s three in 13 years; and simply shameful.

To me the songwriter category is a no-brainer. It should be Hank Cochran. In my opinion he should have gone in prior to Bobby Braddock. But others who will be considered no doubt will be Dallas Frazier, Curly Putman, Dean Dillon and properly Loudermilk.

I personally don’t believe David Allan Coe, Gram Parsons, John Hartford and properly even Johnny Paycheck will ever be inducted. Of those four Paycheck stands the greatest chance. Jerry Lee Lewis should be considered I agree. His honky tonk records of the 60’s & 70’s were properly the greatest of that style during that generation. No doubt he will be inducted at some point. Honky Tonk legend Stonewall Jackson and Cajun king Jimmy C. Newman, both should be considered at some point, but sadly so far none have came forward with efforts to boost their chances. The Country Music Hall of Fame, while exclusive yes, is very politically driven. Legends such as Faron Young, Webb Pierce, Don Gibson, Jean Shepard, Porter Wagoner and others were deliberately kept out for years because of ruffling some feathers. It truthfully is shameful. The accomplishments and influence of the artists should merit their induction alone. I would say that is why Hank, Jr. has not been elected yet. He’s a 50 year veteran of the business. He should already have a bronze plaque hanging in the rotunda.

My picks:
Veterans: I think it will be The Browns. This was Jim Ed’s 50th year as a Grand Ole Opry member, and really they are the last “superstar” act of the 1950’s not yet enshrined.
Modern: I’m leaning toward Randy Travis, with the recent health issues. He’s now appearing in public again, properly preparing himself for this reason, no doubt.
Songwriter: Hank Cochran. If the posthumous jinx happens in this category, I will say Dallas Frazier.

Just to reiterate the Coe v. Paycheck point, Paycheck’s at least seemed to reform himself towards the end of his life, and his troubles are what you’d hear about in a country song. Coe, in contrast, is, if nothing else, a really weird guy, and he’s still getting himself in trouble to this day.

with ernest stoneman already in the hall theres probably no chance the stoneman family band will ever get inducted but besides ernest the band also included scotty, donna and roni stoneman three of the greatest instrumentalists in country music history. the stoneman family won the very first cma award for vocal group of the year in 1967 so they qualify for the veterans slot.

Actually, this is the kind of coverage that should be appearing on mainstream websites, such as those that feature stories such as “Taylor Swift Tattoo Goes Horribly Wrong” and “Worst Country Wardrobe Malfunctions.”

It is a travesty that Jerry Reed is not in the hall of fame. He is the greatest country picker of all time. For that reason alone, he should have been in years ago. He also wrote some great songs, was a fantastic performer, with perhaps, more charisma and stage presence than any act of that generation. Not to mention that he was a huge personality, appeared in blockbuster movies and tv shows, not just in country circles, but in the national and international media.

I like Johnny Paycheck’s music, but he is not even in the same ballpark as DAC. Coe is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Paycheck was a decent performer, but as far as I know the only song of note that he penned was Apartment Number 9… Coe has written dozens of great songs and made an indelible mark on country music.

My pick for the modern era is Dwight Yoakam. I’m surprised I’m not seeing more pulling for him.

My longshot for the veteran era (more of a hope than one I actually think has a legitimate shot) is Jerry Jeff Walker (possibly considerable for songwriter category as well, maybe?…trying to remember the exact rules. As to who I think will ACTUALLY get the Veteran Era nod? Probably Jerry Reed.

Songwriter, I’m going to have to go with the majority here and say Hank Cochran.

As good as Dwight Yoakam is, and his key involvement in reigniting traditional country music in the 1980s, I just am personally not that enthusiastic about a possible induction for him. Not enough sustained success and his shows (at least his recent ones) haven’t been critical successes. Sorry.

This is a great article thank you. I grew up with country music and all of them are very good. My Dad favorite was Boxcar Willie. I would love to see all of them in; but NOT Taylor Swift She is Not a country singer to me. I am waiting for time to go by and hope I see my man Toby Keith get a chance; he always seems to be the cowboy left out for awards. But God I love to hear him sing! But to all good luck!

My theory about the “Artist In Residence”–which I took a lot of guff for on another site, in the case of Kenny Rogers, but which tends to be confirmed–is that when the Hall chooses an Artist In Residence who has all the commercial credentials to be a member, that sends a clear signal to the voters that the artist’s time is NOW.

Obviously, when the artist in residence is someone like a Buddy Miller, it doesn’t mean anything–because he doesn’t have the commercial record to make the Hall. But when they choose a guy with a string of #1 hits and network TV appearances like Skaggs…well, you can start chiseling his H-o-F plaque.

Jerry Reed and Jerry Lee Lewis should both get in in the veteran category. Jerry Lee survived long enough to overcome some of his scandals, I think.

The induction of Bobby Bare hardly opens the door to David Allen Coe. Maybe you’re not quite as familiar with him as you perhaps should be, but Bare was a mainstream country powerhouse for decades, with dozens of top-10 hits under his belt, despite doing a lot of daring, envelope-pushing, work.

Coe definitely should be in an Outlaw Hall of Fame, if there is one, but was too erratic–to put it mildly–for the Country Music H-o-F.

As far as Coe, I’m not saying Bobby Bare’s induction assures Coe of anything. But I do think before you could ever see someone like David Allan Coe get in, you’d have to see people like Bare, Tompall Glaser, and others like that get in first. So in that respect maybe hypothetically it moves him further, but realistically he is still a long shot.

I think I was chided by the same music writer as you about making the “artist-in-residence” connection.

Ronnie Milsap is responsible for a great body of work (music) coming out of Nashville – other than Strait and I believe Conway, he has the most # ! songs ever – he can sing any type of song and should be considered this year for his 40 #1 songs, if for no other reason. He still tours and has a great following. He’s 71 years old and has been making music a long time and he is the most deserving artist. He should have been inducted long before now but surely this year, the voters will get it right and not let politics into the mix.

How The Great Tompall and the Glaser Brothers are not considered a given is beyond me. They should have been inducted a long time ago. They are much more deserving than some of the current members who should be considered merely borderline country. Their body of work over the years has more than earned them a place in the HOF. Tompall should have, in all fairness, gone in last year with Cowboy Jack and Bare. That’s my 2 cents worth. Come on Nashville, put some “country” in the hall!!!

Simply put it should be Randy Travis, not because of his current health crisis, but for the fact their would not be a Modern Era if he haddened got people to listen to Country music again. Let’s face facts before him Country was dying.

”¢ Modern era: Either Ronnie Milsap or Ricky Skaggs. Face it, yes, Randy Travis deserves induction and I agree he was a key figure in reinvigorating the genre in the mid-1980s. But I think Milsap (who added true soul) and Skaggs (with reinventing bluegrass as a style that mattered) have to come first.

”¢ Veterans’ era: No question ”“ Hank Williams Jr. He’s long since been due, IMO. He carried on his father’s tradition, invented his own style unapologetically and made himself a success. I don’t think any of his political beliefs should get in the way. Jerry Lee Lewis, the last remaining member of the 1950s movement, is probably second, and from there Jerry Reed for his session work. But Hank Jr. is first, IMO.

”¢ Songwriter: Probably Hank Cochran.

I also like the Oak Ridge Boys, but they’d almost have to be in the veterans’ category since they’ve been around far longer than their involvement in secular country music. Face it, their blend of harmonies and gospel were instrumental and influential for many groups of the late 1970s onward. There are two strongly influential groups in the Hall right now ”“ Alabama and the Statler Brothers ”“ and I’ve always said there were three in country music’s history. The third of those should be inducted, but they’d almost have to be in an “Open” category.

SONGWRITER
I feel that Liz Anderson should be strongly considered in the Songwriter category. She’s almost as big a contender as Hank Cochran, and the female aspect would also keep things a bit even.

MODERN
For Modern Era, I say give either Ronnie Milsap or Randy Travis what they each deserve”¦get ’em in!

VETERAN
They should have inducted Jerry Lee into the Veteran category decades ago, but I still think they won’t do that until, well”¦until perhaps when he can’t give an acceptance speech that’ll require half of it to be censored. And you know it will need to be! Heh.

Wynn Stewart and Maddox Brothers and Rose should’ve made it years ago. Jerry Reed and June Carter Cash, I’m betting, will get in during the next few years. I’d also like to see Sonny James in there as well as Vern Gosdin and Gene Watson.

i know this will probably never happen but what about bob luman he wasnt a huge chart succsess but he did have a good run on the epic label and i belive he his still remembered in nashville and could bring the crowd to its feet at the grand old opry
and what about david houston slim whitman don gibson the blue sky boys just to name a few that have not been mentioned

Hank Jr should have been in years ago who else played shows with Patsy Cline back in the early 60’s and is still a Headlining act in 2014. Love or hate him those are the facts.. The dirty pricks will probably not induct him until he dies… Also Hank Jr provided the hof all the items for the family tradition exhibit that gave the hof record crowds and he also played a concert for them for free and donated all proceeds to the hof.. fuck the cma and the hof is my 2 cents…

Dottie West Deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame…she did so much for country music and was the first female country singer to win a grammy award! This has been long overdue…Jerry Reed is another who should be in the Hall Of Fame. They should do like they did back in 2001 and induct more than 3…I think there were 11 inducteed that year…What can’t they do this again? Would also love to see Ronnie Milsap in the Hall Of Fame. Hank Jr also…Hank Cochran should be a shoo-in for Songwriter. Just look at his body of work!!!!

In the songwriter category, I’d add Bob McDill. He wrote a lot of Don Williams’ hits, plus many more. Also, I’d prefer to see the Stanley Brothers inducted as a duo rather than just Dr. Ralph by himself.

To receive this honor would make all the trials & tribulations we went through to pave the way for future artist– would make those efforts all worth while.
Naturally, I would like to see THE BROWNS inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame while the three of us are still living.
The three of us have worked diligently toward this distinguished honor.
Even though Bonnie and I were forced to retire, we never stopped pushing country music and The Browns and numerous appearances with Jim Ed on the Opry as well as concert shows all over the country. I spent twelve years of my life writing a successful book about those days & some of the things we experienced. After nine years it is still a top 20 best seller with the UofA Press, Fayetteville, AR. (Looking Back To See”, A Country Music Memoir” .
Thank you CMA for all your consideration.
Maxine Brown

Maxine,
What an honor to read this post. I wish you all the luck in the world for this honor. I have wrote letters, sent emails and done as much as I have possibly could the last several years for The Browns. Sadly, I hear that as much writing or calling the fans themselves do, it’s to no avail to the CMA. The whole election process and balloting is strictly through the CMA and outside consideration is virtually ignored. I’m sure at this point you already know if you’ve made the Hall of Fame for 2014. I hear that Dottie West was not even one of the 5 finalists, so I’m assuming you guys at least got that far. It has to happen at some point. You three are true legends and I’m proud to have your music in my collection. I’m 33 years old and am introducing my own children now to those classic recordings of The Browns.

I do wonder whether they might use the Hall’s physical expansion, to be formalised next week, as an opportunity to ‘catch up’. This happened when the current building was opened and, although some saw it as a dilution of the process, it helped to ensure that a batch of deserving candidates made it in more promptly than would otherwise been the case.

I do like the idea of an ‘early influences’ category. A number of important and influential performers would fall within it: Charlie Poole, the Blue Sky Boys, the Skillet Lickers, Carson J. Robison, the Stanley Brothers, the Maddoxs etc.

I sure would love to see the Wilburn Brothers or Skeeter Davis inducted, but I would settle for Jim Ed Brown. Dottie West would be okay, too. As for the modern era, I like the Oaks. I wouldn’t be disappointed if Milsap were chosen. My dream choices wojuld Billy Walker or Mac Wiseman.

Another thought – A number of country performers have been honoured with America’s highest award for artistic endeavour, the National Medal for Arts, but two still haven’t made it into the Country Music Hall of Fame: Doc Watson and Ralph Stanley, and that can’t be right. (Watson received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, too!)

Lynn Anderson has been overlooked for way too long. With a vast career of more than 40 top 20 hits, 8 charting to number one, she was responsible for paving the way for many crossover artists and helped introduce a new legion of fans to country music.

A bunch of guys(mostly) talking about inducting a bunch of guys. The 12-1 male to female ratio is becoming an embarrasment. It’s so bad country female artists should consider founding their own hall of fame. If you can can induct Lorrie Morgans dad for his one memorable hit( Candy Kisses) you can put the many deserving women at least on the radar. Gram Parsons, John Hartford( yes, great)but Lucinda Willams, Roseanne Cash, Bobbie Gentry, , Buffy St. Marie— all great songwriters and singers and deserving too. I’m so tired of the pop vs country chart mentality. Does anyone really think Brenda Lee was inducted for those forgetable country songs of the 1970’s? It was her classic pop hits that got her in( and those are the only ones featured in Time-Lifes many country music collections) and none of them came close to top forty country.

As her Wikipedia page states, Lynn Anderson was the #13 music artist of the 70s (ALL genres) and THE highest not yet in the CMHF. This woman paved the way for so many female artists to follow … opening the door for them to appear on venues other than the Opry & Hee-Haw. The CMHF is currently honoring her with a nearly year-long exhibit, which is great. It’s just too bad it had to be right after she passed away at the young age of 67. Just hope that the powers that be will honor thy legends. This lady did more for expanding the audience for country music before any other female … she took it all around the world and beyond rural areas. Please give her a rightful home in the CMHF. Dottie West should also be in, needless to say.